Will Rick Perry Be New Homeland Security Chief?

According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration might be considering current Energy Secretary Rick Perry to replace John Kelly at the Department of Homeland Security. Bloomberg claims that three people familiar with the deliberations have confirmed this news.

Kelly’s promotion to White House chief of staff on Monday has left an opening at the top of the Department of Homeland Security, and Rick Perry is one of several names that have been circulating around as a possible replacement.

Bloomberg reports that during his brief tenure at Homeland Security, Kelly focused on strengthening immigration enforcement. Perry, who was governor of Texas for nearly 15 years, is familiar with the border and might be – at least in the eyes of President Trump – somebody who will defend tough border positions.

According to CNN, when asked about the possibility of switching Rick Perry to the Department of Homeland Security, a Department of Energy spokesperson said, “While Secretary Perry is honored to be mentioned, he is happy where he is and very focused on carrying out the mission the President gave him when he was chosen to lead the Department of Energy.”

Although Rick Perry was the governor of Texas for nearly 15 years, he has not always seen eye-to-eye with President Trump. In fact, Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign was significantly hurt after he accused many in his party of not having a “heart” on the subject of immigration. While the governor of Texas, Perry also tried to fund undocumented children of immigrants to pay in-state tuition for college.

Governor Perry has also expressed disagreement with the President over the border wall. In 2011, during his first run for president, he called for “strategic fencing” along certain parts of the southern border.

“If you build a 30 foot wall from El Paso to Brownsville, the 35-foot ladder business gets real good,” said Perry according to the Texas Tribune.

Although they do not have insider sources, CNN speculates that Rick Perry is probably being considered for the position.

In related news, President Trump just signed what he calls a “flawed” sanctions bill against Russia. Here at Faith, Family, America you can read the entire White House press statement directly on our website.